Method of utilizing solid fuel for internal combustion



- P. F. MACCALLUM.

METHOD OF UTILIZING SOLID FUEL FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28. 1919.

1,37 1,042, Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

P. F. MACCALLUM.

METHOD OF UTILIZING SOLID FUEL FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28,1919.

1 ,371,042, Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

. UNITED s'rArgs PATENT OFFICE.

PATRICK F. MACGALLUM, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

METHOD OF UTILIZING SOLID FUEL FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Application filed June 28, 1919. Serial No. 307,474.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, PATRICK FRASER MAC- CALLUM, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and whose post-ofiice address is 93 Hope street, city of Glasgow,

Scotland, engineer, have invented Methods fuel through inclosed air to cause combustion and increase in the pressure of the air and any diluent gases present. These pressure gases may be utilized for driving internal combustion motors, or for propelling liquids, or otherwise for industrial purposes generally. The fuel is held in a fire box grate, and its degree of coarseness is only limited by the capacity of the feeding apparatus and the provision of suflicient incandescent fuel surface for exposure to the action of the air during the combustion movements of the fire.

The ordinary working cycle of the process is as follows A volume of air is compressed into a suitable receptacle fitted with a movable apparatus supporting incandescent solid fuel in such a way that only limited combustion can take place during the air admission period. The fire is then moved through the air, causing combustion in proportion to the extent and speed of motion and previous air compression. After the expansive force of the combustion gases has been utilized they are allowed to escape and the fire having again been returned to an inert damped position, a fresh volume of compressed air is provided in readiness for another combustion movement of the fire, and so on.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1 and 2, arevertical sections of a vertical combustion chamber made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 3, is a vertical section of a combustion chamber of the horizontal type, and

Fig. 4, is a vertical section of the horizontal combustion chamber shown in Fig. 3, taken on the line aa of that figure.

In carrying my invention into practice I employ a vertical, horizontal or inclined combustion chamber of dimensions and design to suit the prime mover with which it is to be employed. On the accompanying drawings Fig. 1, (Sheet 1) shows a vertical combustion chamber a, fitted with a movable fire box b, seen in its upper position, the operating rod of which 0 passes through a water space at the bottom of the chamber. The water keeps the operating rod and bottom of fire box cool and serves as a receptacle for ash and dirt. A passage 45 provides for attachment to and communication with the working cylinder of an internal combustion motor. During the compression stroke of the motor piston the fire box I), with its mass of incandescent fuel is held above the passage (1, so that the bulk of the incoming air isforced into the cool space between the Water and the fire. About the end of the air compression period the fire box I) is rapidly moved to the lower position shown in Fig. 2, causing active combustion. The fire box I) is provided at its upper end with an inwardly inclined flange I? which, together with the coneshaped member Z secured to the upper end of the operating rod 0, prevents dispersion of the said fuel through the air or other gases during the downward travel of the fire box when the speed of the latter is greater than the velocity which gravity would impart to the fuel. After utilization of the resulting pressure the waste gases are allowed to escape through the exhaust valve of the motor and the fire box having been returned to its upper position the combustion chamber is ready for a fresh charge of air. scavenging of the combustion chamber may be assisted by an auxiliary air supply admitted through a nonreturn valve placed near the surface of the internal cooling water. The combustion chamber is fitted with fuel feed apparatus, access doors being provided for starting the fire and removal of ash and refuse either continuously or at intervals, and water circulating and level maintaining fittings. Timed reciprocating motion is imparted to the fire box, through its operating rod by suitable external gear driven from the engine shaft. With quick revolution motors a rotary motion may also be imparted to the fire box to keep the fuel in position by centrifugal action.

Figs. 3 and 4 (Sheet 2) show longitudinal and cross sections of a horizontal combustion chamber a, fitted with fire box 6 actuated by a water cooled rod 0 passing through stuffing glands in the end covers of the chamber. An exhaust valve is mounted centrally on top above the passage 05 communicating with the motor working cylinder. Auxiliary air valves, as shown at f may befitted to the chamber ends to assist in flushing. Water cooled glazed sight holes, as shown at 9, may also be fitted for inspecting the fire. The fire box has a solid bottom and upper ends with bars or grating filling the lower ends, so that when in motion the relative air draft must be brought in contact with the hot fuel even when the fire box is not full. The said bars prevent the dispersion of the fuel through the air or other gases during the travel of the fire box. \Vith the horizontally traveling fire, fuel must be introduced exactly while the fire box is at one end of chamber. This may be accomplished by forcing the fuel past a non-return valve, as shown at 72 on F ig.. 3, by the use of apparatus similar to that described in Maccallums United States Patent No. 626,840 dated 13th January 1899. End pockets 2' i fitted with cleaning doors are provided below the com bustion chamber for the reception of ash, and the water in these and in the connecting groove which accommodates the fire box actuating rod is maintained at a level slightly below the bottom of the fire box. Openings as shown at j are provided in the upper portion of the combustion chamber for starting the fire, air for the preliminary blowing up of which may be obtained through the auxiliary valve f. Horizontal combustion chambers may be of plain circular or rectangular section filled to any desired depth with circulating cooling wateryand two rods may be employed to carry and actuate the fire box. tion for this and the valve movements may be obtained in the usual way from any convenient external moving part of the engine.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows l. The method of utilizing solid fuel for internal combustion, consisting in increasing the pressure of previously compressed air and other gases by inoving through the said air or gases a mass of incandescent fuel by means of controlling apparatus arranged to prevent the dispersion of the said fuel through the air or other gases, substantially as set forth.

2. Apparatus for utilizing solid fuel for internal combustion by increasing the pressure of previously compressed air or other gases comprising in combination a combustion chamber, a traveling fire box grate arranged to prevent the dispersion of a mass of incandescent fuel contained therein during the travel of the said fire box grate, and a cooling water space forming part of the said combustion chamber, substantially as described.

P. F. MACOALLUM.

Witnesses J. SIME, MARGARET MORRISON.

Timed mo- 

